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Dr. George G. Keener Papers, 1903-1960s and undated

KC Manuscript Collection 244

ABSTRACT:The Dr. George G. Keener collection consists of the doctor’s personal papers, professional correspondence, and a medical ledger. Correspondence and papers date primarily from 1909 to 1911 while the ledger covers 1903 through 1917. The ledger provides an account of everyone during those years that received treatment from Keener. It is organized by town and family and lists illnesses, methods of treatment, and payment information. There is a separate entry for births and deaths. Keener was a prominent physician, former postmaster, and city leader in Kingsport, Tennessee with a local medical practice predating the city’s incorporation in 1917.

Biographical Note:Dr. George G. Keener was a prominent Kingsport physician during the genesis of modern Kingsport and into the post World War II era. Consistently active in Kingsport civic and political affairs, Dr. Keener served two terms on the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen, 1929-1931 and 1931-1933. As a member of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, he actively supported public health reform efforts. Illustrative of Progressivism in both spirit and practice, Keener’s life exemplifies the professionalization of medicine and the growing social authority of of the medical community. During his tenure on the Board of Mayor and Alderman, Keener supported municipal reform efforts which were characteristic of the Progressive era in United States History. Keener was a physician in Knoxville and Jonesboro, Tennessee as well as Interior and Crandull, Virginia. Keener served as prison physician at Brushy Mountain State Prison at Petros, Tennessee beginning in 1911. He served as Kingsport Postmaster, 1909-1911.

RESTRICTIONS:There are no restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

COLLECTION CITATION:
This collection should be cited as:
Dr. George G. Keener Papers, 1903-1960s and undated. KC Manuscript Collection 244, Archives of the City of Kingsport, Tennessee.

ACQUISITION:
The Dr. George G. Keener Papers were donated to the Archives of the City of Kingsport by Robert L. Harvey in October 1993.